Indian National Cricket Team captain Virat Kohli has praised the efforts of youngsters for their eye-catching performances whenever they were given the opportunity. He believes their significant performance is a good sign for Team India. So much so, Kohli gave rising star Shubman Gill, the compliment for life. Kohli stated he was not even ten per cent what Gill has emerged as a teenager. Following ongoing India vs New Zealand 2019 five-match One-day Internationals series win 3-0 over New Zealand with to games to be played. Kohli has expressed the delight of seeing everyone chipping in with a contribution including Prithvi Shaw, whose recovering from ankle injury.
“I think there are some outstanding talents. We saw Prithvi Shaw grab the opportunity with both hands. Shubman is a very exciting talent and I saw him bat in the nets and I was like wow I was not even ten percent of that when I was 19,” Kohli told Simon Doull at the post-match presentation.
India on Monday clinched the third ODI against the Black Caps by seven wickets and 42 balls to spare. Pertinently, Dinesh Karthik, who donned the gloves to replace unfit Mahendra Singh Dhoni, shone with the bat. He remained unbeaten on run-a-ball 38, whereas, his batting partner Ambati Rayudu remained not out on 40 off 42 balls. Both smashed five fours and a six each.
Rayudu and Karthik registered 77 runs for the fourth after Kohli was dismissed on the bowling of Trent Boult. The right-handed batting monster Kohli faced 74 deliveries for his 60 runs.
Kohli is in awe of young guns:
Talking about the healthy competition, Kohli maintained such performances had boosted the morale of the team in a nutshell. He added the youngsters would get the chance to grow certainly and eventually make it count for the team.
Chance for the youngsters:
However, Kohli is happy how the team has performed in the first three ODIs. He has been rested for the last two ODIs and three-match Twenty20 International series. So, Rohit Sharma will lead the Men in Blue in Kohli’s absence.
“So, that’s the confidence that they carry and it’s great for Indian cricket. The standard keeps going up and the guys coming in can make those impact performances straightaway. And, we are more than happy to give them chances and provide them with the space to grow,” Kohli signed off.
In conclusion, Kohli is expected to be replaced by the Punjab top-order batsman Gill. If so, Gill will make his international debut in a country where he emerged as a protagonist with the bat, last year.